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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Italian Style Shepherds Pie Recipe

﻿There are some times in our lives we really need our comfort foods. Sitting here today with a new( what seems as a common obstacle to face these days) my wonderful fun loving husband had his job eliminated. ﻿ Not something you ever really are totally prepared for, downsizing, company realignments and job eliminations continue to be an everyday occurrence. We are thankful it wasn't worse news as we will recover from this a bump in the road of life. But in this country the most stressful times can be the most common life changes that we just need some comfort foods. So, it's our turn. I am thankful we have been blessed for so long with many years of stable incomes, but now, we look to the future with hopes to see an end to this struggling economy.

Italian Style Shepherds Pie

Now your probably thinking, she's got to be kidding me Italian Shepherd's pie? Well, you know I had to adapt it Italiano style right? Did I tell you garlic was good for you? Italian vegetables seem to always end up somewhere in our family recipes...so here's our version, we love it and we are celebrating a new beginning. A new future with hope and we will get through anything because we together will find a way too. Family, good friends and determination not to let this get us down. So when times get tough, the tough get cooking, just a little more frugal but it's great therapy!

1 tablespoon grating cheese
1 egg
1/4 Italian flavored bread crumbs
Mix this all together in any order all in one large bowl, then line a pie plate with mixture, bake at 350 till browned. Drain oil off the top by using several paper towels to absorb any grease and proceed to fill with recipe below.

Fill baked meat crust with potatoes. Next add, zucchini, mushrooms then corn, season with a sprinkle of garlic powder, cayenne pepper black pepper, parsley and salt Add grating cheese all over the top. Top with gravy, add shredded cheese over the entire top and bake for 1/2 hour on 400 till cheese is brown and bubbly.

Pie looks delicious... and I am so sorry to hear that your husband was laid off. I was laid off myself (and am on unemployment now). But keep your chin up. Things will get better. And anytime you are worried, just say what my father always told me: "The Good Lord Provides." It works! Give my regards to your husband and let him know that I am in the same boat. Misery loves company! ;)God bless.Best,Gloria

So sorry to hear of your husband's job. I really hope he can get another job very soon. Yes, times is so uncertain and challenging with his bad economy. There are lots of job cuts here in UK, too. Please stay strong. You have a loving family and that's most important. Love your shepherd's pie. I need to cook it one of these days. Please take care. MaryMoh at http://www.keeplearningkeepsmiling.com

Bummer about your husband's job! You're right about "when the going gets tough...." Cooking has always been my therapy. Just had shepherd's pie and you've given me food for thought (yes, I love puns)about a variation on your Italian-style pie.

Maybe it's not so very italian, but you sure deserve it! I like the way you react, and you got me laughing with the sentence "when times get tough, the tough get cooking". I hope everything fixes for the better in no time...

im so sorry to hear about your husband's situation. hope things would work out for you and your family. i know how hard things can get in times like this. i am sending you lots of love and good wishes.

Wow, you have an incredible outlook after such news. Many good wishes to you and your husband during this time. I think we all could use a bit of brightness in this country. Your Shepherds pie is a delicious adaptation of the original. In fact, I would take your version any day!

I love how you Italianized this!! Great post, Claudia, and a wonderful recipe, as always!

So sorry that your hubby was laid off - times are tough for many. My husband was laid off last year just when I had our first baby ... it was so tough but we got through it. Life has a funny way of working itself out.

I am so sorry about Captain Nemo - I really do hope and believe something better will come along. In the meantime enjoy some quality time together ... so glad you still have an awesome spirit and cook comforting things for everyone. Hugs!

This is a nerve-wracking economy. So will be keeping you close in my thoughts. Glad you will be okay, but still - so hard. Our family has many instances of these hard times. Comfort food is definitely welcome and one of its joys - is it's usually not expensive! I love how you "Italianied" Shepherd's Pie. I turn things Italian all the time and Shepherd's Pie is the perfect dish to play with - and you played with it beautifully. I shall follow suit.

About Me

My blog was created in 2009. When I first started blogging my main inspiration was keeping Mom's memory alive through her recipes she left behind. Cooking those recipes keeps her with us. My two grown sons and family members now have all the family traditional recipes in one place. This blog is dedicated to the memory ofMargaret Ann Fanelli Colenzo.